Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Carrboro, NC: $31.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Carrboro, NC runs $31.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,076 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Carrboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,647 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Carrboro, North Carolina, is projected to be $31.77, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This hourly wage can significantly influence the financial stability of part-time workers, especially those working three days a week in varied settings like skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. For those starting out or working in less lucrative environments, the hourly range can stretch from $22.84 at the entry level to $36.14 for those at the top of the pay scale. These numbers are derived from annual salary data but translated into hourly wages that reflect the unique job market for COTAs in Carrboro.
About the Carrboro Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.84 | $182.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.90 | $231.20 |
| Median (P50) | $31.77 | $254.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.28 | $266.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.14 | $289.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carrboro
Based on $31.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.77/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carrboro, NC can expect to earn approximately $66,078 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,122. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carrboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carrboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,270.73 | $5,507 | $66,078 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $762.44 | $3,304 | $39,647 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.29 | $2,203 | $26,431 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Carrboro) | $31.77 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Carrboro, NC earn a median of $66,076 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.11% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.70% below the North Carolina state average of $70,070.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.77/hr = $39,647/year (purchasing power: $42,358).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,078/year (purchasing power: $70,596).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Carrboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.29/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Carrboro grew 17.5% from $26.29/hr (2019) to $30.90/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.66/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carrboro metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Carrboro
For occupational therapy assistants considering part-time opportunities, working an average of 24 hours a week at $31.77 can yield an annual income of roughly $39,711, significantly less than that of full-time employees. Many per-diem or agency COTAs in Carrboro can expect to charge between $30 and $45 per hour, making the flexibility of such positions appealing despite variations in stability. However, the job landscape is complex; while travel contracts may offer $1,100 to $1,700 weekly, the post-2022 cuts to Medicare reimbursement have impacted premium pay rates, particularly in skilled nursing facilities. Additionally, some professionals may choose lower hourly pay for the security of benefits, highlighting the trade-off alongside negotiation strategies that take into account the local hiring climate. Understanding these dynamics, along with the different earners in various settings—from hospital rehab to home health—can help COTAs make informed decisions on their career trajectories.
More salary data for Carrboro, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Carrboro in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Carrboro?
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Carrboro. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Carrboro is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov